VI
EN
Photographer Le Cao Hai (stage name Hai Le Cao) has a passionate love for pristine nature, which is why he enjoys visiting places rich in regional identity.
Ha Giang was the first place Le Cao Hai thought of when he took his photography students there. His three-day trip was just enough time to explore the pristine beauty of this northernmost region of Vietnam.
Driven by a passionate love for pristine nature, photographer Le Cao Hai chose Ha Giang as his destination, leaving him with many lasting impressions.
The photo series "Is Ha Giang a Land of Happiness?" was created by him during a field trip with his students; he didn't visit any overly famous spots. For Le Cao Hai, he prefers unplanned trips, where he visits places based on spontaneous emotions and feelings of awe at their beauty.
A smile is forever associated with the image of the people of the highlands.
Since arriving in Ha Giang, besides the breathtaking natural beauty, the people here are the highlight that makes this land, known as the place where "even stones bloom," even more perfect and uniquely attractive.
The daily life of people in the highlands.
You'll encounter children playing carefree like wildflowers by the roadside, their eyes filled with curiosity, their giggles echoing as they wave in greeting. Young people heading to the fields to work, elderly people carrying large and small bundles of cardamom or grass on their backs... anyone lucky enough to meet along the way, if you strike up a conversation, they'll look slightly bewildered at first, then break into witty, innocent smiles. This warmth is a beautiful memory deeply etched in Le Cao Hai's mind whenever he thinks of Ha Giang.
Even when traveling along the road and spotting a village in the distance, he readily stops to chat, learn about, and is willing to stay to better understand the local lifestyle and culture of the people there.
Sunlight streaks across the Dong Van Stone Plateau valley.
“Interacting with the people of the highlands, encountering the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests, I believe Ha Giang is truly a land of happiness. What impressed me most was the people here; they always wear a bright, happy smile on their faces, they are welcoming and friendly. You know, any city or country where the people always smile brightly is a land of happiness,” photographer Le Cao Hai shared with Travellive.
Ha Giang has always attracted many tourists with its majestic mountain scenery. But what impressed Le Cao Hai the most was the unspoiled and shy beauty of the highland girls, who always possess a captivating and enchanting charm.
The photographer said that because he travels by motorbike to easily access and navigate narrow streets, it's inconvenient to carry his equipment in the rain and wind. But despite the rain, he continues to work diligently and creatively, producing unique photographs.
Highland baby
The small house nestled in the valley was built with great care and dedication by the locals, their stone walls stacked perfectly flat.
"With every place we visit, the first thing to do is learn about the people there. Once you understand them, everything will be great for practicing photography," said Le Cao Hai.
"Bring an open mind and sufficient health to Ha Giang, and you will be amazed by this land. Come to Ha Giang with a relaxed and unhurried attitude, and observe the daily life of the highlanders. If possible, try experiencing life like the locals once, because I believe you will see that the highlanders are truly happy people," said Le Cao Hai.
Come and admire and feel the happiness in the magnificent nature and people of the highlands of Ha Giang through the lens of photographer Le Hai Cao:
A radiant smile appeared on the cigarette seller's face.
With an optimistic and cheerful attitude, all difficulties are just minor issues.
Stone walls have always been a distinctive feature of the people of Ha Giang.
Growing old together in peaceful years.
The little girl with a shy, embarrassed smile.
The dreamy beauty of Ha Giang seems to have stepped right out of a fairy tale.
The streaks of sunlight stretching across the mountain slopes make Ha Giang even more impressive in the eyes of travelers.
A peaceful village surrounded by mountains and forests.
The distinctive feature of these stone houses, blending seamlessly into the mountains, serves as a form of camouflage for the survival of the highlanders.
